How to check if your PC meets Windows 11 system requirements

April 11, 2023

Microsoft launched Windows 11 on 5 October 2021, the first major Windows release in six years, and since then many users have been unsure whether their PCs meet its stricter hardware requirements. The question matters more now: Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Windows 10 PCs still work, but they no longer receive free security updates unless they are enrolled in Extended Security Updates (ESU). To help users check their hardware, Microsoft offers the free PC Health Check app.

How to check with the PC Health Check app

Windows 11 brought new features and changes compared with Windows 10, so there are some basic requirements to check before you upgrade. You can check your PC with the PC Health Check app:

Download the PC Health Check app from Microsoft, run the installer, accept the licence terms and open the app when the installation finishes.
In the Windows 11 eligibility section of the app, select “Check now” and wait. The app tells you whether your PC meets the requirements and, if it does not, which ones it fails.
If your PC is eligible, you can upgrade to Windows 11 free of charge through Windows Update (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update).

Keep in mind that your PC must be running Windows 10 version 2004 or later to upgrade directly to Windows 11.

Other ways to check

Another option is to go through Microsoft’s lists of processors that are compatible with Windows 11. You can also use the open-source app WhyNotWin11. Its developer is not affiliated with Microsoft, but the app gives more detailed information about your device's compatibility with Windows 11 and can help you narrow down where the problem lies, including RAM, CPU details and boot type.

Windows 11 minimum system requirements

A more thorough approach is to check your PC against the Windows 11 minimum system requirements:

Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC)
RAM: 4 GB
Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics card: compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver
Display: high definition (720p), larger than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per colour channel
Internet connection and Microsoft account: Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro for personal use need internet access and a Microsoft account during initial setup, and all editions need internet access to perform updates and to download and use some features

What if your PC does not meet the requirements?

First, check whether a missing item is simply switched off: on some PCs, TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is supported but disabled in the UEFI firmware settings, and Microsoft’s support site explains how to enable TPM 2.0. If the hardware itself falls short, you can enrol the PC in the consumer Windows 10 ESU programme, which now provides security updates until 12 October 2027. Enrolment is free if you sync your PC settings to your Microsoft account; otherwise you can redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or make a one-time purchase of US$30 (or the local equivalent). ESU only buys time, though: in the longer term, you will need to replace the PC with one that can run Windows 11.